rasagiline tartrate at a glance
Medicine class
Irreversible selective monoamine oxidase-B inhibitor
Licensed role
Adult idiopathic Parkinson’s disease, used alone or with levodopa for end-of-dose fluctuations
Administration
An oral tablet that may be taken with or without food
Important check
Ask a pharmacist before using antidepressants, opioid painkillers, cough medicines, decongestants or herbal remedies
What is rasagiline tartrate used for?
The selected product is licensed for adults with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease.
Used on its own, without levodopa.
Used with levodopa in people experiencing end-of-dose fluctuations.
How does rasagiline tartrate work?
Rasagiline irreversibly inhibits monoamine oxidase-B, an enzyme that breaks down dopamine. This increases and sustains dopamine activity in movement-related areas of the brain.
rasagiline tartrate preparations and strengths
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 1 mg
How to take rasagiline tartrate
Take the tablet by mouth exactly as shown on the dispensing label. It can be taken with or without food. Do not change or stop treatment without discussing this with the Parkinson’s team.
Swallow the tablet with water.
Check with a pharmacist before taking non-prescription cough, cold or herbal products.
Do not drive or use machinery if rasagiline causes drowsiness or sudden sleep episodes.
rasagiline tartrate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Headache, dizziness or vertigo
- Muscle, joint, back or neck pain
- Depression, hallucinations or abnormal dreams
- Flu-like symptoms or rhinitis
- When combined with levodopa: involuntary movements, postural dizziness, falls, abdominal pain, constipation, nausea, vomiting or dry mouth
Get urgent medical advice
- Agitation, confusion, fever, muscle rigidity or twitching suggesting serotonin syndrome
- Sudden sleep episodes or severe daytime sleepiness
- Chest pain, stroke symptoms or a severe rise in blood pressure
- New or worsening compulsive gambling, spending, sexual behaviour or other loss of impulse control
- A new or changing suspicious skin lesion
rasagiline tartrate in pregnancy
Human pregnancy data are unavailable, so product information advises avoiding rasagiline during pregnancy as a precaution. Anyone pregnant or planning pregnancy should discuss treatment with their Parkinson’s specialist before making changes.
rasagiline tartrate while breastfeeding
It is unknown whether rasagiline passes into human milk, and non-clinical evidence suggests it may reduce prolactin and milk production. Breastfeeding requires an individual specialist assessment of maternal treatment and infant feeding needs.
rasagiline tartrate interactions
Rasagiline has clinically important prescription, non-prescription and herbal interactions. A pharmacist or prescriber should review all current products.
Other MAO inhibitors, including St John’s wort
Concurrent use is contraindicated because excessive MAO inhibition can cause a hypertensive crisis.
Pethidine
Concurrent use is contraindicated because serious central nervous system reactions can occur.
Antidepressants, including SSRIs, SNRIs and tricyclic or tetracyclic agents
Serotonin toxicity is possible; fluoxetine and fluvoxamine should be avoided and other antidepressants require prescriber review.
Common questions about rasagiline tartrate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Does rasagiline tartrate cure Parkinson’s disease?
No. It is a symptomatic treatment that can improve movement symptoms while it is being taken, but it does not cure Parkinson’s disease.
Is rasagiline tartrate a dopamine agonist?
No. It is an MAO-B inhibitor that reduces dopamine breakdown rather than directly stimulating dopamine receptors.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.